Do you have any weakening or soreness in your shoulders? Do you find it challenging to raise your arm above your head?
One of the most typical causes of shoulder pain is a rotator cuff injury, which may be what you are experiencing.
But how can you tell if you have tendinitis or a tear in your rotator cuff? Let’s examine some of the primary distinctions between these two injuries.
What is A Rotator Cuff?
Your rotator cuff is a collection of muscles and tendons that connects your shoulder blade to the upper arm bone. These muscles control the arm’s inward and outward rotation in addition to lifting the arm.
You quickly realize how much you rely on your rotator cuff when something goes wrong with it, whether you are picking something up off the shelf, getting dressed, or brushing your hair. The discomfort that results from a rotator cuff injury can become crippling.
Why Does the Rotator Cuff Hurt?
There are two typical causes of rotator cuff discomfort.
- When the tendons become irritated and inflamed, it results in rotator cuff tendonitis. This ailment is also known as bursitis or impingement.
- When one or more of the tendons completely or partially rupture, it causes a rotator cuff injury. A full-thickness rip occurs when the tendon has completely pulled away from the bone, as opposed to a partial tear, where the tendon is only partially removed from the bone.
Both of these injuries may develop due to:
Rotator cuff injuries are frequently sustained while swimming, pitching a baseball, or serving a tennis ball, among other repetitive overhead motions. Carpenters and painters, for example, whose work requires overhead motions, are likewise more vulnerable.
Aging-related degeneration – Over time, the tendons may get damaged due to gradual wear and tear.
Trauma that occurs suddenly, such as falling with the arm extended or taking a direct impact on the shoulder, can cause a rotator cuff tear.
What Signs and Symptoms Indicate a Rotator Cuff Injury?
Similar symptoms can be seen in tendonitis and rotator cuff injuries, however, tendonitis symptoms are typically more severe.
Symptoms of rotator cuff tendonitis include:
- Continual shoulder pain
- When extending an arm overhead, it hurts severely.
- Nighttime discomfort that can be disruptive to sleep
- Swelling
- Stiffness
Those who have a torn rotator cuff might encounter:
- Attempting to raise an arm overhead causes excruciating discomfort
- Pain that causes you to wake up from sleep
- Pain in the shoulder while you are not moving it
- Shoulder affliction
- Crepitus (a grinding or popping sensation) (a grinding or popping sensation)
- Swelling
- Tenderness
How Are Injuries to the Rotator Cuff Treated?
If you have rotator cuff pain, seeing an orthopedic doctor for an accurate diagnosis is the first step to take.
Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay Sports & arthroscopic surgeon can suggest some beneficial attentive therapy options first. These may consist of:
- Rest, Ice
- Physical exercise
- medications that are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
- An arm sling
- Physical exercise
Dr. Reetadyuti Mukhopadhyay might advise surgery to help you return to the hobbies or sports you enjoy if you’ve had a full tear or if nonsurgical treatments don’t work.
So take the first step towards, pain-free life. Book an appointment today!